Their children may be overflowing with anticipation and excitement, visions of gifts piled under a tree and holidays spent playing with new toys.

But far too many of their parents are filled with dread and worry that their children will be left out of the simple joys of the holidays for no fault of their own. 

Many parents also feel guilty or ashamed, despite the economic forces that also are outside of their control and have left so many in need of help this year.

“The holidays are a moment of magic and excitement, and the thought of them waking up without anything to open is heartbreaking,” a mother from Cumberland County wrote to the Press Herald Toy Fund. 

“I have never received help like this before but feel desperate to not cry on Christmas like I have for the last several years,” wrote a mother of two from central Maine. “It is heartbreaking and depressing not being able to provide Christmas for your children.”

“I’ve been cutting back on everything, but Christmas is a special time for my daughter,” a mother from southern Maine wrote. “She deserves a tree, gifts, and memories that will last a lifetime. That’s why I’m reaching out for help. Any contribution, big or small, would bring joy to her eyes and relief to my heart. Your kindness would make this Christmas season brighter for both of us.”

“I am a single mom with two boys who works a full-time job seven days a week to keep up with all the bills,” wrote a mother from York County. ”I normally pull it off really well by myself every year but this year I just feel like I can’t do it and I’m kind of ashamed of it!!! If I could get some secret help without my children knowing, that would be way more than appreciated. It would be such a big weight off my shoulders.”

The Toy Fund has been inundated with requests for toys and books — mirroring a spike in need experienced by many holiday charities this year. 

Families have asked the Toy Fund for gifts for more than 4,800 Maine children. Last year, the charity served 3,800 kids.

Organizers have ordered more gifts and made a special appeal to donors to help.

The Toy Fund uses the donations of newspaper readers to buy toys and books for kids up to 16 years old in York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Androscoggin and Knox counties.

The Portland Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal publish lists of the donations along with stories about the holiday gift drive from Thanksgiving through the month of December.

HOW TO HELP:

To make a donation online, go to pressherald.com/toy-fund.

Checks made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund may be mailed to 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland ME 04106.

Names of donors are published in the Press Herald and Lewiston Sun Journal unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.

TODAY’S DONATIONS:

• $526.35: Woodhouse family
• $526.35: In honor of Marie — Lynn Breckinridge and John Fitzsimmons
• $36.00 In honor of KJ. Mikey — Michaelanne Rosenzweig
• $52.92: From Pat to honor Gary’s thoughtfulness. — Anonymous
• $105.52: Anonymous
• $52.92: Anonymous
• $31.88: Anonymous
• $105.52: For Little Jim — Anonymous
• $105.52: Elizabeth Bruce
• $263.34: Betts FitzGerald
• $105.52: Anonymous
• $315.94: Merry Christmas! Peace, goodwill and happiness to all. — David & Elaine
• $42.40: Anonymous
• $40: Anonymous
• $105.52: Anonymous
• $105.52: Anonymous
• $105.52: Anonymous
• $50: Thomas F Hickey
• $150: Merry Xmas — Jim and Kathy Ryan
• $50: For Kids — Anonymous
• $200: In loving memory of Charlie & Judy — Robert Gips & Karen Harris
• $100: In honor of my 18 grandchildren — Carol A Wernig
• $50: Anonymous
• $100: Anonymous
• $100: Anonymous
• $100: Richard M & Janine A Parker
• $200: In memory of Flora & Walter Perkins — Lawrence Perkins
• $100: In memory of Mom & Dad — Dr. Valarie C Lamont
• $100: In gratitude for all that we have — Deborah F & Thomas S Coward
• $50: Anonymous
• $50: Thanks! — Michael J & Georgianna P D’Arcangelo
• $300: Michael D & Connie K Beck
• $50: Jeannne H & Brian T Wright
• $50: Marcianna Delaney
• $100: Michael Dudley
• $50: Gaston Lee
• $100: In memory of Pat & John Scanlon — Glen & Mary Feigenbaum
• $50: In honor of my sons, Jim & Mike Cook — Delphine P Palmer
• $50: Robert T & Kathleen Duddy
• $50: In memory of our Larry and Aldona Barnes. To all the volunteers and dedicated staff thank you so very much — Lillian I & Leslie A Lawrence
• $30: In loving memory of Dave Poirier. We have given to your fund for nearly 60 years. Keep up the good work. Merry Christmas! — Shirley M Poirier
• $500: In memory of George & Dottie Walker, my parents and Gary Moore, my husband who loved Christmas so much — Debra A Moore
• $100: Happy Holidays! Thanks to all the volunteers! — Marybeth and John Richardson

Year to date total: $41,266.77.